Famed Italian Pasta Maker Barilla: Gays Can Eat Someone Else’s Pasta

Barilla is a famous name in Italian pasta. And it seems they don’t have a taste for gays.

If you check your local supermarket here in the states, or in Europe, you’re bound to see Barilla’s products with the familiar red label. They’re a big, worldwide brand.

Well, the Chairman of the privately-owned company, Guido Barilla, got himself into some hot water yesterday when he told an Italian radio show that Barilla is a company that “likes the traditional family.” And therefore, you’re not going to see any gays in Barilla’s advertising. And if gays don’t like it, “they can always go eat someone else’s pasta.”

“We won’t include gays in our ads, because we like the traditional family. If gays don’t like it, they can always eat another brand of pasta. Everyone is free to do what they want, provided it doesn’t bother anyone else.”

Consider me bothered, Guido.

After his comments caused a bit of outrage, Barilla is now trying to backtrack – kinda (agin my translation):

“With reference to statements made yesterday, I apologize if my words have generated controversy or misunderstanding, or if they have hurt the sensibilities of some people. In the interview I simply wanted to highlight the central role of the woman in the family.”

Right. Because there’s nothing sexist about that. The central role of women in the kitchen. (Like when she picks up a frying pan to slap your sexist ass.)

Barilla added that he has “the utmost respect for any person, without distinction of any kind,” and “the greatest respect for gays and for the freedom of expression of anyone.”

Yeah, freedom of expression. Anti-gay bigots usually misunderstand the concept of freedom of expression to mean that they get to say any inanity with impunity. Doesn’t work that way. Barilla absolutely has the right to say that Barilla pasta is for straight people. And we have the right to tell him to vaffanapoli.

UPDATE: Speaking of free expression, Italian gay rights advocates, including members of the Italian parliament, are now calling for a boycott of Barilla (#boicottabarilla #boycottbarilla). Italian “family” advocates are, however, siding with Barilla over gay families, which they claim are not “natural.” Those same family advocates claim that – get this – criticizing Barilla for its attack on gays is itself an attack on “civil liberties.”

Adorable.

Barilla added in his mea-kinda-sorta-culpa to the Italian press, “I repeat that I respect gay marriages.”

But not enough respect to include us in his ads, because Barilla is a company that likes “the traditional family.”